Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-02-18
Jht essex County 9trala.
ISLAND POND. FEBRUARY is, 1887.
THE FISHERIES TREATY.

few newspapers in printing the first
article of the Treaty of lSIs-the
one bearing upon the fisheries ques-
ton. This treaty was negotiated by
John Robinson and Henry Coulburn
the respective British Secretaries of
State for Foreign Affairs and the
Treasury, and Albert Gallatln and
Richard Rush, United States Minis
tiers to France and Great Britain.
1t reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Differences having arisen
respecting the liberty claimed by the
United States for the inhabitants
thereof to take, dry, and cure fish on
certain coasts, bays, harbors, and
creeks of his Britannia Majesty's DOM
Unions in America, it is agreed between
the high contracting parties that the
inhabitants of the United States shall
have forever, in common with the
subjects of his Britannia Majesty, the
liberty to take fish of any kind on
that part of the south coast of New
foundland which extends from Cape
Ray to the Rameau lslands-on the
western and northern coasts of New
foundland, from the said Cape Ray to
the Quipiron Islands, on the shores of
the Magdalen Islands, and also on the
coasts, bays, harbors, and creeks, from
Mount Jolly on the southern coast of
Labrador to and through the Straits
of Belle Isle, and thence northwardly
indefinitely along the coast, without
prejudice, however, to any of the ex-
elusive rights of the Hudson Bay Com
pany. And that the American fisher
men shall also have the liberty forever
to dry and cure fish in any of the I'M
settled bays, harbors, and creeks of
the southern part of the coast of New
foundland, here above described, and
of the coast of Labrador; but so soon
as the same, or any portion thereof,
shall be settled, it shall not be lawful
for the said fishermen to dry or cure
fish at such portion so settled, without
previous agreement for such purpose
with the inhabitants, proprietors or
possessors of the ground. And the
United States hereby renounces for
ever any liberty heretofore enjoyed or
claimed by the inhabitants thereof
to take, dry, or cure fish on or within
three marine miles of any of the
coasts, bays, creeks or harbors of his
Britannia Majesty's domlnions in
America not included within the above
mentioned limits; provided, however
that the American fishermen shall be
admitted to enter such bays or harbors
for the purpose of shelter and Of re-
pliring damages therein, Of purchas-
ing wood and of obtaining water, and
for no other purpose whatever. But
they shall be under such restrictions
as may be necessary to prevent their
taking, drying or curing fish therein
or in any other manner whatever
abt S ng the privileges hereby reserved
to them.
With this article to enlighten him
there is no reason why any Ameri-
can citizen should be ignorant of the
merits of the controversy in which
his country and Canada are now en-
gagged. 1t is on the basis of this
treaty that the Canadians attempt to
Justify themselves, and it is upon
the same basis that the United States
fishermen rest their grievances. Our
fishermen say that they do not want
to take, dry or cure fish within the
limits prescribed by the convention,
and that they have not done 1t; and
the claim is made that not one of
the vessels seized last summer was
violating the provisions of the article
quoted. The treaty plainly provides
that "American fishermen shall be
admitted to enter such bays or har-
bors for the purpose of shelter and
of repairing damages therein, OF
purchasing wood, and of obtaining
water" In availlng themselves of
these treaty privileges American
vessels were seized and American
fishermen subjected to grievous per-
secution.
1t will be further observed that
there is nothing in the article
which prevents American vessels
from having trade inside the limits
specified, providing an agreement
can be made with the local Can.
adam inhabitants, and it should be
borne in mind that all of the Can.
adam coast jewellers themselves de
clared it a hardship that they were
deprived of the trade from American
vessels touching at their respective
ports.
In discussing the fisheries dispRtt
and in the settlement of existing
differences the simple and unequivo
cal provisions of the treaty article
shonld at all times be kept in mind
The article states the American case